Actor Paul Mescal opens up about his battles with depression. - Actor Paul Mescal opens up about his battle with depression
In the heart of Cannes, Irish actor Paul Mescal opened up about the challenges of mental health on film sets. "As someone with a predisposition towards depression, it can be difficult to maintain a stable persona on set," the 29-year-old actor shared. "Actors are accustomed to dividing their personalities for professional purposes, which can be beneficial in our line of work, but may at times prove unbalanced in our personal lives."
During the festival, Mescal stars alongside Josh O'Connor ("The Crown") in the historical romance "The History of Sound." The film, directed by Oliver Hermanus, explores a gay love story set in the early 20th century. The pair play David and Lionel, who meet at the Boston Music Conservatory and later collaborte on recording folk songs in rural Maine following World War I.
Mescal's depiction of queer characters is not a new endeavor for him. "I believe we are moving away from those more conventional male 'alpha' figures portrayed in cinema," he mentioned.
Comparisons between "The History of Sound" and the cult classic "Brokeback Mountain" have been drawn, although Mescal views them as overly simplistic. "Queer relationships have been explored in cinema before, and 'Brokeback Mountain' is one example," he acknowledged. "However, 'The History of Sound' stands as a unique narrative distinct from 'Brokeback Mountain,' as it is not an exploration or reinterpretation of their repressed sexuality."
Mescal's TV role in "Normal People" and his appearance in "Gladiator II" have solidified his status as a cinematic icon, with loud screams greeting him during his appearances at Cannes.
- ♪ I'm gonna be a star ♪ ♪ I'm gonna be a star ♪, Paul Mescal's stardom continues to rise, as he is greeted with loud screams during his appearances at Cannes.
- In the realm of science, mental health, a topic close to Mescal's heart, remains a significant concern, especially for actors like himself.
- Beyond acting, Mescal maintains a keen interest in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, possibly seeking balance to combat the challenges of his profession.
- Amidst the glitz and glamour of Cannes, discussions on mental health, pop-culture, entertainment, movies-and-tv, and celebrities are as compelling as the films themselves, such as the comparison drawn between "The History of Sound" and "Brokeback Mountain."
